Christmas Fun!

It seems like the last few posts I could write three posts for the one that I actually put up. This will be no different. Christmas was fun. The decorations are staying up for now because I think I need to let it all sink in still before I'm ready to put it all away until next year.

Have I mentioned how much I love family?

Noah helping his Daddy win Catch Phrase

Bryant, Jack & Beckham (my cousin's son, so technically, another cousin) chatting it up

Sledding with the Andersons. "Mommy, I'm cold," says Bryant, with Aunt Shana

Johnny on his way down

Geoff & Michelle, the newlyweds!

Grammy & Aubrey going down. Uncle Geoff was kind enough to let the little one borrow his goggles.

I can't resist this one. He is all boy, all fun, always moving, all the time. And I love him.

A couple of stories:

We were in the store getting some last minute gifts and a lady stopped us and asked Aubrey if Santa would be stopping by her house. Aubrey looked so confused as she said, "No." And I realized: Aubrey knows who Santa is but doesn't have any idea what he "does." So as far as she is concerned, Santa lives at the store and we say hi to him there. I love that.

Nana had the idea to bake Jesus a birthday cake with Aubrey and this will now be a tradition for sure! Before we opened presents at Nana & Papa's, Aubrey announced, "No, first we need to sing happy birthday to Jesus!" So we did.

When Aubrey would open a present that she either a: didn't know what it was or b: didn't like, she would very excitedly exclaim: "Oh, it's a _______ for Mommy!" At least she was gracious about the gift, huh?

Bryant's talent? He can literally stick his entire binky in his mouth. And smile. It's pretty impressive.

I hope that everyone had a blessed Christmas.

What am I Thankful For?

Life! Life with my husband and kids, life with our siblings and their spouses and kids...

I'm thankful for my baby boy who makes me laugh and cry out of joy.

I'm thankful for my husband who strives to be the best sweetheart and daddy he can be. I'm thankful for our baby girl who loves everything about the world around her.

I'm thankful for our sweet nieces (and their parents!) who live so far away.





I'm thankful for our nephews who, I'm quite sure, will be a couple of Bryant's best buddies...and I'm thankful for their parents, too!


I'm thankful for the rest of our family, parents and siblings, that we can all walk together through life, loving and cheering for one another.

Thank you, Lord, for blessing me abundantly in this life.

Life in Pictures (and video)

Our smiley guy, busy going everywhere and getting into everything.

The kids are sharing a room now and this is what I often walk into. Bryant is normally happy. This particular morning Mommy had taken a little too long to get breakfast ready.

Aubrey in her ballet class. She loves it and her kind teacher has said, "I enjoy her enthusiasm!" That's a euphemism for her spastic excitement and difficulty listening at times.

"Hey, Mom, Dad & I are having some guy time if you don't mind."

Bryant is standing up and walking along things now. He just turned 8 months old.

Watching 101 Dalmations with Daddy...it must have been a suspenseful part.

Brother & Sister loving each other.

Both boys to their respective moms: "Really? Another picture?"

I had fun selling aprons & bibs at the Harvest Moon Bazaar at Good Shepherd Church this last weekend.

Cutest little Jack I've ever met. Ever.

We had the Andersons over for a pre-Thanksgiving dinner and Aubrey and Grandma Gladys bonded.

Belle & Davy

It's early but we've already had a full week of halloween and harvest parties of sorts. Very nice for Aubrey who would wear her Belle dress all the time if possible. Bryant has had fun showing off his Davy Crockett duds, too.


Belle in her very full, very twirly Belle dress. Thank you, Nana!


Davy in his gear...the cutest Davy Crockett I've ever seen.

Noah William!

He's here! We are so excited for Drew and Annie and this beautiful baby boy!! Thanks for making your appearance, Noah. We can't wait to meet you!

Aubrey's Prayer

Translation: "Thank You for Blake and, Jesus, help him every day. And this, pray him. Pray Nana and Papa make Aubrey's Belle dress. And this pray food and Daddy and Blake keep fase. Safe. And this pray food. AMEN."

We did not coach her to pray for any of this. We pray for Uncle Blake every day and she has obviously caught onto that. The Belle dress is the most important thing in her world right now (Halloween costume that Nana is making), and she always prays for Daddy, too. I love that she corrected herself when she said, "face," instead of, "safe."

Moments

*This is mostly for my record. It is quite long but you are obviously welcome to read it if you wish. It's a mommy reflecting on the joys of the day-to-day.

These days are going by quickly. Well, while the "day" is going on, it sometimes seems like it is never going to end. But then, with the kids asleep, I sit and realize how quickly these days really are going. And I don't want to miss out on the joy-filled moments. Rather, I want to make the moments joy-filled, because I'm pretty sure that when I blink, these moments will be gone.

My moments with my Aubrey girl lately:

She is in ballet class. Yes, I did it, I put my daughter in ballet. I'm grooming her to be the next "it" ballerina. Kidding. It doesn't take anyone long with Aubrey to understand that this girl is ALL GIRL. She loves princesses, dresses, dancing, twirling, singing, DRAMA...dreaming. Oh, the gift we have in this sweet, spunky, feisty girl. I broke our camera so hopefully we can get a new one sometime soon and I can take video of her in action.

"Mommy, watch me I do," is a standard phrase I hear a lot through my days. It is usually followed by Aubrey showing me a picture she has drawn, a dance move she's figured out, or something she has discovered she can do with (to) Bryant.

Speaking of Bryant, she has learned that she can swing him in his johnny-jump-up, sit on him to, "ride a horse," and feed him...today he was introduced to oreo cookies. He loves it, by the way, and he adores his sissy.

She loves flowers. I actually got choked up yesterday when I went for a walk with the kids. A neighbor of ours puts flowers out in front of her house for passer-by's to take home. We always stop there so Aubrey can pick out a flower. She held onto this dainty little flower exactly like my Grandma used to hold flowers. It made me really miss Grandma, but it also made me thank the Lord that He gave me a little girl who reminds me very much of her.

-Addition- I don't want to forget Aubrey's prayer at mealtimes. It varies slightly by who is with her but it always includes this, "Thank you for Blake and Jesus, help him, every day (dramatic nod of her head through that part). Pray for Nana & Papa make Aubrey's Belle dress (Halloween costume she is so excited about). Pray for Daddy at work. Thank you for food. AMEN."

Aubrey, what will the future hold for you? I don't want to ask God to make your journey light...I believe He has more than that for you. But I do pray that no matter what, you will always hold onto your passion for life. And I pray most of all that you would allow Him to be your Prince. Sweet girl, that is the best hope I can give you, that you are truly His princess.


My moments with my Bubs, Bryant:

He is crawling. He has been for the past two weeks. With crawling came his first bloody nose. He sky-dived off our bed a few days ago. He does a one-two-three lunge thing and he went ahead and did that right off of our bed, onto his nose. John called and said Bryant had a bloody nose and that he cried for about a second.

Today I heard him shaking a rattle pretty furiously and laughing...then crying. I went out to see that he had hit himself right under the eye with the rattle and that it was already swelling up a little.

This one is no secret, he smiles. ALL THE TIME. Little moment that I don't want to forget: we went to get his 6 month pictures taken, he fell asleep in the car. My dad was with me and he got him out of the car and he stayed asleep. When we went into the studio he woke up, smiled really big, and went back to sleep. He kept trying to open his eyes and smile but he kept falling back asleep. He is such a happy kid.

Bryant, what does God have planned for you? Daddy always tells you that you are brave, tough, and strong. We pray all those things for you, little man. We pray those so that you will be prepared for the life God has for you. We want you to be brave, tough, and strong in all the ways that matter...and tender towards God and towards those He puts in your path.

Oh, Lord, thank you for these moments with my children.

Cotton & Vine=super cute stuff!

I would like to put a little bug in your ear: my sister-in law, Annie, makes the cutest things! From pushpins, magnets, thank you cards, everyday notecards & envelopes, onesies for baby, pretty much you name it, she makes it. Her company name is Cotton & Vine, and if you are in need of some hostess gifts for the upcoming holidays, some Christmas stocking stuffers, or presents themselves, visit her facebook page!

Cute, high-quality, affordable things!

http://www.facebook.com/inbox/?ref=mb#/group.php?gid=151008899864&ref=mf

Proud Wife & Cute Kids (according to their mom)

This is my hubby, searching for a missing hiker on Saddle Mountain on Sunday. The story had a sad ending but I'm proud of my John! This was a picture in the local paper.

Some shots of the kids as of lately. We're off to enjoy this 90 degree day at the beach! Nice kickoff to the first day of fall, huh?

Discussions on Theology with 2 1/2 Year Olds

Me: "Aubrey, did you have fun reading about Jesus last night?"

Aubrey: "Yes, I did!"

Me: "I'm excited that we get to learn more about Jesus in the Bible."

Aubrey: "Mommy, where's Great Papa?"

Me: "He is in Heaven with Jesus!"

Aubrey: "Oh, we go to Heaven?"

Me: "We can go to Heaven someday."

Aubrey: "Oh...now?"

Me: "No, not yet. Someday. Do you know how we can go to Heaven? Sometimes we are naughty, right?"

Aubrey: "Yes."

Me: "We are naughty when we disobey, when we are not kind...that is called sin. Being naughty is sin. Jesus died on the cross for our sins so that we can go to Heaven someday. He has forgiven us for being naughty by dying on the cross. If you ask Jesus into your heart, you can go to Heaven someday."

Aubrey: "Oh, Jesus is very nice."

Me: "Yes, He is. Very nice. Great Papa asked Jesus into his heart when he was a little boy and just a little while ago Jesus said, 'Okay, Great Papa, I would like for you to come to Heaven now!' Someday, He will say that to us, too."

Aubrey: "Oh! Someday Aubrey sit on Great Papa's lap?"

Me: "Yes, someday, you will probably sit on Great Papa's lap." Tear.

Aubrey girl, we pray that your heart will be captured by Jesus, that you will follow hard after Him starting at an early age, and that He will be your Prince, forever and ever.

These are a Few of My Favorite Things...

1. The way Aubrey walks around all day saying, "Jane...Michael...come here..." (reference to Mary Poppins) I'm pretty sure Jane & Michael are her two first make-believe friends.
2. How when we are headed to clean her room she starts singing, "Spoon sugar help medicine down!"
3. The way she tells all of her Disney dolls, "I saw YOU at Disneyland!"
4. The way she coaxes John to, "Dance me, Daddy, dance, me...You, Burt." She also gives him pointers on dance moves. Our little director. (and I love that John is willing to do it!)
5. The way she almost has the Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious...(whatever) dance down perfectly.
6. The way she came up to me tonight, rubbed my back, and whispered, "Oh, I love you, Mommy..." I love you, too, sweet one. I love you, too.

7. The way Bryant concentrates on his sister.

8. Hearing Bryant laugh at Aubrey's antics as we drive down the road.

9. The way I have to literally wrestle my little boy down so he'll stop moving, so he'll go to sleep. Yes, I'm putting my running shoes on and looking forward to it. :)

10. The way he nuzzles his head into my chest when I get him up from his naps or in the morning.

11. The way he smiles SO big he can't stay still. I say his face isn't big enough for his smile and it's true.

12. Racing Aubrey with Bryant in my arms...he laughs so hard when he almost catches Sissy.

Thank you, Lord, for letting me borrow these precious gifts for a while. And thank you for John who works so hard to allow me to stay at home and store up all of these treasures day by day. I am blessed.

Our summer stats...

Beginning in July: wedding of beloved brother Geoff...
week after wedding: hang out with another beloved brother (Nate) & sister-in-law (Megan) and their two girls who live in North Carolina
Weekend following: reception for beloved brother Geoff...
week after reception: start driving down to California with Petersen family...(who are beloved)
Weekend: spend at Disneyland with all Petersen parents, siblings, and babies...(all dearly beloved)
Week after: Drive back to Oregon
Weekend after: wedding of beloved friend Caley...(a few hours after memorial service for beloved grandpa...)

I say beloved because all of these events were well worth the time and effort and we absolutely would not have traded one minute of anything. Wonderful, deeply treasured memories with everyone...and busy.

John & Nate teaching Grace & Aubrey how to skim board.
Grace, Aubrey & Ella playing the piano. Aubrey had so much fun with her cousins!The girls walking on the beach.
Bryant getting in on a cousins picture, sans Ella...she was too busy. :) We tried getting them all to smile at the same time but you know how that goes.And then it was off the Disneyland. I need pictures, Dad & Stephanie! :) Hint, hint. Guess what Bryant will be for Halloween this year?Nana found Aubrey a true-to-life Mary Poppins parasol. She met Mary Poppins and walked with her, holding her parasol. Do you know any other 2 year olds who are more excited to meet Mary Poppins than the Disney princesses? That's my girl.

And I got to finish off this fun summer by participating in my best friend from high school's wedding...she was beautiful, the wedding was beautiful, and I was so honored to be a part of it.

Our summer is wrapping up. I just finished canning 60 pints, yes, count them, 60, of beans from Grandpa's garden. Along with 6 pints of tomatoes. I also have a box full of potatoes, probably around 15 pounds, and many many onions.

I also dabbled in canning pickles from my own garden, using my own cucumbers and my own dill. :) I'm excited about that and we'll see how they turn out.

Heaven welcomed another Farmer...

Grandpa went Home to be with his Savior late last night. I could ramble on about everything that's been happening these last few weeks but I think I'll try to limit it to a couple of thoughts.

I had so many precious moments with him in these last few weeks. We talked a lot about all the things he had to look forward to. One of the biggest was the crowd of excited family that was there to meet him at the Gate. I imagine that one or all three of his girls who died in infancy were there to say, "Daddy, come with me, I want to show you all you've missed out on!" And I imagine that he cannot wipe that smile off of his face that I already miss.

And, I imagine that he fell into the arms of Jesus, relieved that he finished his race well. He so looked forward to seeing Jesus face to face. I am so excited for him. I will be thinking today about all of the "firsts," Grandpa is experiencing today. I wonder if Grandma will show him his garden plot.

Most of all today I am thanking Jesus that He sacrificed Himself so that Grandpa can be well, whole, and complete for the rest of eternity. He fought well and now the fun starts. :)

Thank you, Grandpa, for the way you never quit because it wasn't easy. Thank you for leaving me and my kids with such a strong legacy. I love you and I so look forward to seeing you again. Save me a little spot by your garden...and say hi to Grandma for me.

Similarities?

I did a similar post back when Aubrey was about 4 months or so

(www.johnandanna05.blogspot.com/2007/07/similarities.html)

...do you think Bryant looks a little like his daddy?

Our little guy reminds me a lot of John. Isn't it fun to see how God works out the genes when these babies are born?